Penn State's special teams off to hot start in 2010

JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-NewsChaz Powell returned the opening kickoff of the second half for 100 yards against Youngstown State on Saturday.

In 2009, there was only one team that had fewer kickoff return yards than Penn State.

Through one game of the 2010 season, Penn State ranks second in the country in kickoff return average.

Obviously, it’s only one game and not a representative sample of how good the Nittany Lions’ special teams play will be this season, but there is little question that the units will be better than last year.

Leading 16-7 and with the game still in doubt, Lions’ returner Chaz Powell took the opening kickoff of the second half 100 yards for a touchdown, breaking to the left with only the kicker to beat. Powell beat him easily and reached the end zone untouched. It’s the Lions’ longest kickoff return since Rich Mauti – father of current linebacker Michael Mauti – ran one back 100 yards in 1975.

In 2009, the Lions recorded just 729 kickoff return yards, 119th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. The Lions’ 19.2 kickoff return average ranked 107th, and their season-long return was 54-yarder.

The punt return numbers weren’t any better, registering just 5.0 yards per punt return, which was 106th in the nation. The Lions’ 8.0 average on Saturday doesn’t sound much better, but that’s only because Devon Smith’s long return to inside the Penguins’ 20-yard line was wiped away because of a block in the back.

This year, the Lions are featuring two returners in their punt formation, pairing Smith with Justin Brown. The formation couldn’t have worked any better as Brown set up Smith’s long return when he sealed off the left side by taking out the closest pursuer, who stood just a few yards from Smith.

“It’s more comfortable with two (returners) back there,” Smith says. “He watches my back; we watch each others back. We made that commitment.

“On the punt return, he was right in front of me. Somebody went to come hit me and he had my back. It’s better to have two back there, especially to be safe.”

Placekicker Collin Wagner, who struggled mightily from 40 yards and out last season, also turned his fortunes around last Saturday. Wagner made just one of five field goal attempts from 40 yards or further last season but was 3 of 3 against the Penguins; all three were from 44 yards or longer, including a career-long 49-yard field goal.

“I was able to calm my nerves for the first game this year,” Wagner said. “Last year, I was a little nervous. It was good going out there. I feel a little stronger than last year.”

Wagner’s turning point may have come last season when he was 4 of 4 against LSU in the Capital One Bowl, despite horrible field conditions. The final field goal was the game winner, coming with just 57 seconds left in the game.

That experience last year helped Wagner get off to a good start in 2010, he says.

“It’s good to know you’ve been there before and been able to execute under pressure,” he says. “And I think just having an entire year under my belt makes me feel a lot more confident.”

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